Disclaimer: The West Wing and its characters are the property of Aaron Sorkin, John Wells productions, Warner Brothers, and NBC no copyright infringement intended.

Author's Note: This is a sequel to Deal Maker. Thanks, once again go to Kat for putting up with me.

Spoilers: "Bartlet's Third State of the Union"

Rated: PG (one bad word)

Title: "Deal Breaker" 1/1

By: GEM

March, 2007

Damn him! Does he think he can out run it, out smart it? I've got to get myself together. I have to come to terms with the fact that he's running again. He made the decision without me and he is running again.

Okay, Abbey, just walk out of the kitchen and into the ballroom. Stop and shake the hands of the people that have worked so hard to get us here. They don't know any better. They were planning on a second term. I knew that or at least I thought I knew that wouldn't be. Now I'm not so sure. One speech, one section in that speech, one sentence has changed my life forever. Where have I heard this before?

I'm finally alone,waiting in the residence . Waiting for Jed. I know we can't have this discussion now. He has too much to worry about... five guys in Columbia. He is the President, for crying out loud, he has to worry about five guys in Columbia. This discussion will have to wait for another time.

I'm not against being First Lady, in fact I quite enjoy it. I don't really have a problem continuing to fill the role. I just want some time with my husband before it's to late. As a wife, mother to his children, and even as a doctor, I want him to have more time with his family before whatever happens, happens.

I'm not afraid of what the press might find out. Yes, it would have been easier if he served one term, went home and then had the health problem come out. Then we could have said that the former President has recently been diagnosed with MS. That was the original plan, serve one term, go home, then when he started to have problems, say he was just diagnosed. Only his close friends and family would know the truth. This deal, this plan will not play out now because my husband has fallen in love with this place, this office and so have I. In a sense we are both deal breakers.